[Runner340]

Thought I'd share the Blackstone Laboratories oil analysis I received a few days ago for informational purposes. I typically change the oil in 5K mile intervals. But due to a long road trip decided to change the oil a few hundred miles earlier.

Car: 2017 340i xDrive Auto M-Sport with 65K miles
Tune: BMW MPPSK

Note: Edited out personal information

[Cytoplasm0671]

I feel all the reports sound like this. Has anybody seen a different one?

[toxik]

Originally Posted by Cytoplasm0671

I feel all the reports sound like this. Has anybody seen a different one?

the type of person that would send in an oil sample probably is meticulous about their services haha. im gonna send mine in during my fall oil change, don't really know what health my engine was in prior to my ownership.

[Runner340]

Originally Posted by Cytoplasm0671

I feel all the reports sound like this. Has anybody seen a different one?

For $35 it was worth it for some peace of mind and for the same reason Toxik mentioned.

For comparison it would be interesting to see the oil analysis of others running DD stock, pump gas tunes, different oil viscosity, mileage and those running bigger turbos and flex fueling setups.

[johnung]

At a bare minimum a Blackstone Oil Analysis will erase anything that builds up in the back of the subconscious after reading the constant posts concerning rod bearings!

[thejeremyman9]

I started a thread for N55s after seeing OA reports posted in various different places but it never got any traction. https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1830358

[F32Fleet]

Looks like the oil had plenty of life left. Shame really.

[harkes]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Looks like the oil had plenty of life left. Shame really.

Agreed. The 5000 interval must be from the times with mineral oil... It has no place with modern synthetics.

[Billfitz]

But, but, but it's not Longlife-17FE+ ! Oh, the horror, the horror.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by harkes

Agreed. The 5000 interval must be from the times with mineral oil... It has no place with modern synthetics.

What you say makes total sense. Changing oil every 3-5k miles at my cost for oil & filter is just cheap insurance for my sanity compared to the cost of a new engine, especially after the engine, fueling and tune mods that I’ve done. I’d shoot myself if I let the oil changes go longer and there was an engine failure.

[MidtownMike]

In Europe the B48 and B58 officially have a 30k km/2 year interval. I change mine at 15k (stock). Interesting, how BMW prescribes different intervals for different regions. Maybe they take most extreme circumstances into account? (Alaska in winter up to Death Valley in summer vs Reykjavik (Iceland) in winter up to Athens (Greece) im Summer?

[Billfitz]

If it's longer in Europe I chalk that up to what the traffic will bear. That said, if you live where it goes below freezing in winter you should change the oil in the spring, no matter how many miles it has been. If you have an oil catch can and are familiar with how much crud they pick up in winter you know why.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by MidtownMike

In Europe the B48 and B58 officially have a 30k km/2 year interval. I change mine at 15k (stock). Interesting, how BMW prescribes different intervals for different regions. Maybe they take most extreme circumstances into account? (Alaska in winter up to Death Valley in summer vs Reykjavik (Iceland) in winter up to Athens (Greece) im Summer?

US it's lesser of 1yr or 16k km. Perhaps the difference revolves around reducing oil usage over vehicle lifecycle.

[MidtownMike]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

If it's longer in Europe I chalk that up to what the traffic will bear. That said, if you live where it goes below freezing in winter you should change the oil in the spring, no matter how many miles it has been. If you have an oil catch can and are familiar with how much crud they pick up in winter you know why.

Correct. In Europe the majority of new BMW's are drivens as business lease cars. The business pays a fixed amount per month which includes insurance, road tax, maintenance etc. and the employee/driver gets a fuel pass with the car which is charged to the business. Lease contracts usually end after 4 years and the car is returned to the lease company and sold to a private owner.
The 30k interval is most likely to keep the monthly fixed lease rates down and competitive (car needs less maintenance). At that stage nobody cares what happens after the 4 years when warranty has expired.
European customers who buy pre-owned usually don't do class action suits. The market is too fragmented for that with all the different small countries. This is why BMW gets away with all the shit they pull in Europe, like not doing a recall for the B48 coolant line.

[schernov]

Interval is different because of gasoline quality and spec.

[MidtownMike]

Originally Posted by schernov

Interval is different because of gasoline quality and spec.

True. American gas is polluted with hamburger juice and eagle faeces.

Seriously, higher sulfur content and lower octane number in the US could also play a role, but general consensus here in Europe is that lease rates play a major role in stretching the intervals because premium car manufacturers are so dependant on the lease market.

[StradaRedlands]

I started using BStone with our GL as the timing gears could be a problem and I wanted to catch it before they started disintegrating. Luckily no wear beyond normal showing! But I kind of got in the habit of doing it with all the cars. I actually didn't do it on my last oil change as I think I'm trying to wean myself off of them. I do 10k mile changes as it's easy to remember. The OCI on the cars says I could do longer, but I figure 10k is a great round number!

[WDE82]

Oil threads are always hilarious.

Love reading comments from people still stuck in 1976 with the 3000 mile intervals.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by MidtownMike

Seriously, higher sulfur content and lower octane number in the US could also play a role

American fuel isn't lower octane when you compare grade for grade. The measurement system used in the American market yields different results.

[schernov]

Several BMW master techs who I know are of opinion that changing oil once a year is your minimum on cars that don't get driven much.
If you drive a lot - do every 10k miles.

In US oil changes at the dealer are cheap. $99 all year long (at least in Chicago area) for non M 4/6 cyl.... and they will scratch your car with a car wash for free.
At that price - It does not even make sense to do it yourself. I still do it myself on my wife's 135i to use up the stockpile of oil which is sitting in the garage - but n54 is much easier as the filter is right up front vs b58 in the back.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by MidtownMike

Correct. In Europe the majority of new BMW's are drivens as business lease cars. The business pays a fixed amount per month which includes insurance, road tax, maintenance etc. and the employee/driver gets a fuel pass with the car which is charged to the business. Lease contracts usually end after 4 years and the car is returned to the lease company and sold to a private owner.
The 30k interval is most likely to keep the monthly fixed lease rates down and competitive (car needs less maintenance). At that stage nobody cares what happens after the 4 years when warranty has expired.
European customers who buy pre-owned usually don't do class action suits. The market is too fragmented for that with all the different small countries. This is why BMW gets away with all the shit they pull in Europe, like not doing a recall for the B48 coolant line.

Interesting. In the US a significant portion of BMW sales are leases (business or personal) as well and then sold as CPO.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by schernov

Interval is different because of gasoline quality and spec.

Gas is essentially the same. Diesel (EU) is better though.

Emissions tuning could be different.